Origin
Madisonville, TX
Late night in Madisonville on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Madisonville, TX to Arlington, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 51m
Distance
161 mi
259 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 41m
★
6 AM
2h 52m
8 AM
3h 14m
10 AM
3h 0m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 1m
5 PM
3h 13m
8 PM
2h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madisonville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 161-mile drive from Madisonville, TX to Arlington, TX is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 51 minutes. The majority of your journey, 92%, will be on major highways, including I-45 and the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, this route is quite economical for a day trip. You'll encounter just one recommended stop along the way, and the longest continuous stretch on I-45 spans 129 miles. Both Madisonville and Arlington are situated within the Great Plains region, so you won't be crossing any major geographical divides.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80.5 miles from Madisonville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 129 mi | 2h 10m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.1 mi | 16m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| South Collins Street | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 75 North | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| North May Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| East Abram Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Interstate 20 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 129 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madisonville, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on US 190; TX 21
75 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto TX 75
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North May Street
3
Continue on TX 75
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 75 North
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
5
Merge onto I 45
129 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 20
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 20
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 451
Toward Collins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Interstate 20
11
Turn right onto South Collins Street
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
South Collins Street
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Abram Street
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under 3 hours, this drive is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving Madisonville in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, would allow you to arrive in Arlington with plenty of daylight and avoid the peak rush hour. Plan for one stop to break up the longest stretch of 129 miles on I-45, ensuring you stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on that long stretch, as services can be more spread out on interstates. The $24 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.5 miles from Madisonville, TX, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 35 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.5 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Madisonville, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Madisonville, TX
This is one driving day of about 161 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Madisonville, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 45 for about 129 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.5 miles from Madisonville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 4.9 and 156.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 45
Merge onto I 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
134 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
5
134.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Merge onto I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
156.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward Collins Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 451
Toward Collins Street
5
156.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
South Collins Street
Turn right onto South Collins Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.33 one way
$48.65 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $26.63 | $53.26 |
| premium | $4.54 | $28.75 | $57.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.55 | $71.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.3 | 0 | $16.90 | $7.73 |
| Efficient EV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.09 | $6.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.54 | $10.30 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 15 to 20 mph
42% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 9:19AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 9:18AM CDT until April 18 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
15 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 51m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 161-mile journey, with 92% of the route utilizing major interstates. The primary artery is I-45, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 129 miles. This means you'll be in a consistent, high-speed driving environment for the bulk of the trip. The roads are designed for efficient travel, so while it's not a winding scenic route, it offers a predictable and direct path. You'll transition onto the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway as you approach your destination, maintaining that highway feel.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in near I 45.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 161 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 134 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.9 miles (I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Madisonville, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Woodbine Hotel and Restaurant — historic place in Madisonville, Madison County, Texas
Arriving in Arlington, TX
Full guide →Founded 1876
Arlington is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex metropolitan area, in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of almost 400,000 (2019), it is Texas' seventh largest, and the third largest in the Metroplex. Arlington is south of the sprawling DFW International Airport.
Top landmarks
- • Six Flags Over Texas — amusement park
- • Mini Mine Train — Steel roller coaster
- • Arlington Museum of Art — art museum in Texas, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 161 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 134 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.9 miles (I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Arlington, TX before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Arlington, TX
More trips to Arlington, TX
Explore more options from Madisonville, TX or browse trips ending in Arlington, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.